BROADCAST BLOG

Hey, Barracuda fans! What’s going on? The NHL season is officially over and the AHL season will too come to an end after Thursday night’s game seven between the Toronto Marlies and Texas Stars.

I’ve been talking a lot about the offseason as of late because, heck, we’re in it, but modern day professional sports don’t ever really take a break, and things will begin to rev back up with NHL Draft next weekend in Dallas and then Development Camp kicking off on July 2 at Solar4America Ice in San Jose.

Remember, because the Sharks re-signed Evander Kane this offseason their first rounder in 2019 is now the property of the Buffalo Sabres so, in my opinion, this only raises the importance of this year's draft.

Quick note, the Sharks have never selected at 21, 114, 176 or 207. In 1998 San Jose drafted Mikael Samuelsson with the 145th overall selection, and in 2001 San Jose selected Tom Cavanagh with the 182nd pick. Samuelsson played four of his 699 career NHL games with the Sharks. Cavanagh appeared in 18 career NHL games, all with San Jose.

The Sharks have had incredible success in the later rounds over the years including using the 205th pick in 2003 draft on a guy named Joe Pavelski. You may have heard of him. Other notable seventh-round picks for the Sharks include John McCarthy (2006 – RD 7, 202nd overall), Justin Braun (2007 – RD 7, 201nd overall), Jason Demers (2008 – RD 7, 186th overall), Joakim Ryan (2012 – RD 7, 198th overall) and Ivan Chekhovich (2006 – RD 7, 212th overall). Chekhovich is the only player in that group who hasn’t played in the NHL, but his debut in the AHL at the end of last season has me very excited for his future.

When I was brainstorming ideas for this week’s blog, I remembered this Sunday was Father’s Day, which got me thinking. What are some of the greatest father-son combos in hockey history?

The obvious ones are the Howes and the Hulls, but more recently the Thachuks, Domis, and Stastnys.

NHL.com did the legwork on some of the great father-son combos of all-time. Click HERE.

The Sharks have a few father-son duos of their own. Scout and Development Coach Bryan Marchment’s son Mason is a member of the Toronto Marlies and Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson’s son Doug Wilson Jr. is the Director of Hockey Ops for the Sharks. Also, Sharks amateur scout Mike Yandle’s son Keith is a long-time NHLer.

As I sign out from another weekly blog, I’d like to say Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there. I know first hand almost every player on the Barracuda would echo my thoughts. Hockey requires tremendous parental sacrifice, and we all appreciate you supporting our dreams.